Chemotherapy, the use of drugs to treat cancerous cells, has been one of the most common treatments for cancer for many years. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell’s ability to grow or reproduce. Groups of drugs work in various ways to fight cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation or surgery. A combination of chemotherapy drugs is often used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order, depending on the type of cancer being treated. Although many chemotherapies have side effects, great strides have been made in managing these side effects while allowing the life-saving effects of chemotherapy.
Learn more about the various types of chemotherapy and their effects on cancer patients: